Community Conversations Summary

Dear Buddys, Partners and Friends of The Refugee Buddy Project,

Click here to read our Community Conversations Summary Booklet

A huge thank you to everyone who joined us for our October Community Conversations Gathering. It was a wonderful evening filled with thoughtful discussion, shared experiences, new connections and inspiring ideas for the future.

We are delighted to share the attached Community Conversations October Booklet, which brings together the key themes, suggestions and hopes that emerged from our conversations. Copies have also been shared with our Local Authority and with all the local councillors who attended and supported this special event.

We have invited the Leader of the Council to meet with us in February so that we can discuss how your suggestions have been received and what progress has been made. Your voices matter, and we are committed to ensuring that the ideas and experiences shared continue to shape conversations and action locally.

We're also planning another Community Conversation in March and can't wait to bring everyone together again, so please keep an eye out for your invitation.

What excites us most is the enthusiasm and creativity you shared as we begin looking ahead to The Refugee Buddy Project's 10th Anniversary. Together, we have built something truly special over the last decade, and we are already dreaming big for Refugee Week 2027. We hope it will be a joyful celebration of friendship, belonging and community spirit, showcasing Hastings as a place where people seeking refuge are welcomed, valued and able to thrive.

In the meantime, we'd love to see you at our Christmas Market on Saturday 5th December. It promises to be a lovely festive day full of community, crafts, gifts, food and good cheer.

More information here: Christmas Market 05 December 2026

And don't forget to take part in our Annual Christmas Raffle. We have some fantastic prizes generously donated by local businesses, and every ticket purchased helps support our work bringing people together and creating welcome across our community.

Buy your raffle tickets here:  Christmas Raffle tickets!

Thank you for being part of this journey with us. Whether you are a buddy, a volunteer, a partner organisation, a supporter or a friend, you help make our community stronger, kinder and more welcoming every day.

We wish you a joyful festive season and look forward to celebrating with you soon.

With warmest wishes,

Together, we are creating a Hastings where everyone can find friendship, belonging and a place to call home.

Rossana Leal